Bound By Duty (completed editing)

Blood Exchange.

Ayla's POV

Yesterday's events were fresh on my mind. From Evans words to my bond with Soren. Never the less i managed to haul myself out of bed this morning and make my way down to the library. As i was walking down the streets of New York i couldn't help but think how an pure blood original couldn't heal my wounds. Evan descends from a long line of spell users and is considered one of the best around. When he was young, his family had been attacked and he managed to run away. Nicholas found him in the woods behind our house, clutching for survival. Since then he has been like a brother to Nicholas and Viktor. His gifts were used in many previous battles and his spells worked wonders to help my father in his political affairs.

I entered the University gates and peered around for the library. After making my way into the old mansion i sat in one of the empty tables, awaiting Aiden. I was so engrosed in my thoughts that i didn't notice Aiden sliding into the chair opposite me.

"Ayla?" He looked at me casually

"Hey Aiden."

"Is your family ok?"

Could i trust him enough to tell him what was going on? I decided to take the risk.

"How much do you know about us, our kind to be excat." His eyes glanced at me, knowingly. He wore some dark jeans and a plain white T-shirt along with a black body warmer. His hair was styled to look messy, yet sexy.

"Enough Ayla. I know Enough"

His answer made me curious.

"Well, as you know i was the future Queen. My father was attacked and he died. Meaning i now take over the throne." His hands met mine and sympathy filled his eyes.

Swallowing the lump in my throat i resumed talking.

"The thing is, my father was attacked by my mate Soren. Us immortals have mates. I found mine here, at Rhode University, accept there was one flaw. He is a rogue. And he is the reason my fathers dead." I let out a breath. Once again i continued.

"I was hurt yesterday when we launched an attack on Soren's clan. Turns out me and him are bonded in such a way that by killing him i in effect kill myself."

Aiden looked taken back

"Literally?" His voice was uncertain

"Literally."

It looked like he was processing alot and i left out the bit where i was dying and needed to mate with a human.

"How bad were you hurt"

"Bad enough" i replied. And then suddenly i felt a warm hand placed on my cheek and peered up to see Aiden looking into my eyes deeply.

"You're beautiful." My heart dropped. A hundred butterflies buzzed in my stomach, and a thousand shivers ran up my body. His grey eyes showed nothing but sincerity and i found myself leaning closer.

Much to close. I closed my eyes and our lips met. A brief yet sweet kiss. He pulled away almost as quickly as he placed them.

"Ahem?"

I knew that voice, i turned around to see Soren's eyes filled with hatred and anger.

"What's going on here?" Soren asked.

"Remember how i have to mate within 10 days with a human or else i die?" He nodded suspiciously.

"Well Soren, meet my mate. Aiden."

The look on Soren's face made me want to hire 100 bodyguards to guard me.

"Aylaxe, i am your mate." His words were sharp, as was his voice.

"No Soren. We stopped being mates when you rejected me. I stopped having any feelings for you when you killed my father!" My voice was rising in the quiet library and a stern look from the librarian had me settle down a little.

"Come on Aiden, let's go" i grabbed his hands and walked out of the library.

Soren was right behind me.

"Ayla i will change, just mate with me" his voice was pleading.

"Achoo, excuse me im allergic to bullshit" i felt like a total bitch but he deserved it.

"You won't mate him."

"I will"

"Prove it."

And i did. In the middle of everything i lifted my hands to my mouth and bit down on my wrist. Hard.

From the side i could see Aiden slightly shocked.

After biting down i leaned in to Aiden's ear.

"Pretend your drinking. Don't actually drink it." I think he got the idea because as i moved my wrist to his mouth, his hands closed around my arms and a slight flick of his tongue on my wrist made my knees weak. My wound had started to heal and he kissed the small mark where my teeth punctured. Soren's eyes were wide.

"Ayla, you... You didnt mate..."

"Oh yes i did."

Soren gave me a look and walked away, with his head hung low and his hands stuffed into his pocket. I turned to Aiden to thank him, instead i found him leaning on the wall behind him, one hand out to steady himself. I froze when he turned to face me.

His eyes were blood red.

He was changing.